Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has challenged Ainabkoi Farmers’ Cooperative Society members to embrace potato farming owing to the current good climate that favours the growth of the crop.
He was speaking recently after visiting the cooperative society accompanied by Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to Kenya H.E Joris Bommel and Warehouse Receipting System (WRS) Acting CEO Lucy Komet to check on the society’s potential of adopting WRS on matters potatoes.
He noted that his administration has allocated Ksh100 million for the construction of an industrial park that will help in growing local enterprises.
Ambassador Bommel noted that their main aim is to find a way they can improve the output by farmers to ensure an increase in food production.
“The receipt program will improve the quality of your produce for good prices and the current partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC) will also help in linking you to various markets,” noted Bommel.
WRS seeks to benefit farmers by reducing post-harvest losses, improving market linkages, increasing access to credit as well as creating an enabling environment for producers and traders to make and execute commercial decisions.
Chris Ramos, the manager of the potato cold storage facility, said the store can hold up to 50 tonnes of potatoes for at least six months.
Lucas Kessei, Chairman of Ainabkoi FCS, noted that WSR will be a relief to farmers since their produce will be preserved for a while as they look for better markets.
By Wasike Elvis
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